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Jayden Parkinson's family have given their reaction Credit: Thames Valley Police

The family of Jayden Parkinson have issued the following statement after her killer was jailed for life for her murder.

“Finally justice has been done for our Jayden.

“First, we would like to record our enormous gratitude to the officers of Thames Valley Police, in particular members of the Major Crime Unit, whose professionalism and perseverance secured Ben Blakeley’s conviction.

“We would also like to thank all of the prosecution’s witnesses who gave evidence, in particular three of Ben Blakeley’s former girlfriends, who showed immense courage in attending court to speak of his sick and twisted mind.

“From the day that Jayden’s life was so cruelly taken, the kindness shown to us by the people of Didcot has been immeasurable.

"For this, we will always be thankful from the bottom of our hearts.

“Over the months we have also found strength in the messages of support from strangers around the country and indeed worldwide.

“We will never be able to find an ounce of forgiveness for the evil that murdered Jayden and then concealed her body in such a cold, calculated and callous manner.

“For us as a family, today is not the final chapter in this tragedy.

"But now we can at least begin the challenge of coming to terms with the heartbreak which we all feel, and the rebuilding of our lives.

"We can never erase from our minds the pain that was inflicted on Jayden, nor can we erase the image of Jayden’s battered and bruised body.

"We will never be able to celebrate birthdays, Easter or Christmas with Jayden, and we will never get to see Jayden grow up, get married and have children - this is our life sentence, it’s now time for Ben Blakeley to start his.”

Speaking after the sentence, Det Ch Supt Chris Ward from Thames Valley Police Major Crime said: “Ben Blakeley has today been sentenced to a minimum of 20 years after being found guilty of the brutal murder of 17-year-old Jayden Parkinson, on the 3rd December last year.

“Jayden was a teenager when she became involved in a relationship with Blakeley, who has proved to be a violent and dangerous liar.

"Ben mistreated Jayden, controlled her and often beat her which eventually resulted in her murder last year.

“Blakeley has never shown any remorse, nor has he cooperated with the police investigation.

"Instead, Ben chose to lie and has put Jayden’s family and friends through a harrowing trial, where they have been forced to listen to the details of his abuse of Jayden and other former girlfriends.

“Justice will now be served, as Ben faces a lengthy jail term.

“Of course, we respect the decision of the jury in respect of Jake Blakeley, who was charged with preventing a lawful burial.

"The Crown Prosecution will have seven days to decide whether to apply for a re-trial.

“I would like to thank all the police officers and staff who have worked on this complex case, as well as the Crown Prosecution Service, who the Force has worked with very closely.

“Finally, I would like to pay my respects to Jayden and to her family and friends, many of whom who have had to give evidence during this trial.

"I hope that today's conviction will allow them some closure and they can remember Jayden as the fun-loving young lady that she was.”

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Ben Blakley has been sentenced to life imprisonment Credit: Thames Valley Police

Jayden Parkinson Credit: Thames Valley Police

Ben Blakeley, 22, has been jailed at Oxford Crown Court for life with minimum
term of 20 years for the murder of his pregnant ex-girlfriend Jayden Parkinson,
17, who was strangled and later buried in a grave at a cemetery

A community was left shocked by Jayden Parkinson's death - including two of her best friends. Bethany Ray and Layla Smith have spoken exclusively to Asana Greenstreet, about the girl who died at the hands of her ruthless ex-boyfriend.

The ex-boyfriend of teenager Jayden Parkinson has been found GUILTY of her murder. Ben Blakeley, aged 22 and from Reading, strangled her after he found out that she was pregnant.

Jayden, who was 17-years-old, had grown up in Kent, but was was living in Didcot. She was last seen following Blakeley through Oxford - on the way to her death. In court he was described as 'cold and callous', 'violent and controlling'.

Cary Johnston has been following the four week trial at Oxford Crown Court, here is his report on Jayden's last journey.

CCTV footage showing Jayden Parkinson's last journey has been released after her former boyfriend Ben Blakeley was found guilty of murdering her.

The body of 17-year-old Jayden was found in a shallow grave in Didcot last December. The CCTV shows her with 22-year-old Ben Blakeley, who is from Reading, as they walked through a railway station in Oxford. They took a train to Didcot. However, the CCTV also shows Ben Blakeley later that evening, returning to the station alone. He had led the teenager to her death.